If ever there was a question about finals football asking the most searching questions of its combatants, then week one of the 2013 series provided the most compelling evidence. And, with questions, we seek answers. For some clubs, and players, the fact that they are not involved in September may prove to be a blessing. And as ridiculous as that sounds, for surely the ultimate goal of all involved at AFL level is to compete when it matters most, the reality is that they just may not be prepared for the extra scrutiny that comes with it.

This time last year North Melbourne had just endured a week of intense analysis and criticism after the Roos' 96-point humiliation at the hands of West Coast. After the completed home-and-away season they have emerged relatively unscathed, despite failing to make the finals and dropping a couple of places on the ladder. I rated the Roos' season one of wasted opportunity and an overall disappointment. The general consensus in the football world is that they are on the cusp of achieving something special and that next year can't come quick enough. It would be reasonable to predict that the North Melbourne membership team will have an easier time over the summer months as a result of not making the finals.

Debate has raged over whether the Mick Malthouse appointment had been a success ... "There were as many Carlton people asking the questions as anyone else." Photo: Pat Scala

What finals football provides is a stage for great success or spectacular failure. If I was to ask you, this time last week, who, of Nick Duigan and Heath Shaw would be the subject of week-long speculation about their future, I guarantee you that the answer wouldn't be the Collingwood defender.

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Yet Duigan prepares for Saturday night’s game against Sydney as the unlikely four-goal hero in Carlton’s barnstorming come-from-behind win against Richmond, while Shaw is left to deal with questions about his discipline, his petulance, his negative influence and, ultimately, his value to Collingwood.

In fact, the juxtaposition of the fortunes of Collingwood and Carlton highlights exactly what winning games in September means for an AFL club.

All year we have lauded Collingwood's ability to introduce so many youngsters into its squad, yet maintain its position as a genuine contender for the flag. It wasn’t until the final month, when it became apparent the Magpies wouldn’t finish in the top four that their odds began to drift.

For Carlton, the debate raged over whether the Mick Malthouse appointment had been a success or otherwise. And don't kid yourself, there were as many Carlton people asking the questions as anyone else.

Through an unprecedented chain of events, the Blues found themselves in contention in week one of the finals. By 6pm last Sunday they lived to fight another day, less than 24 hours after Nathan Buckley held a press conference after the Pies’ shock loss to Port Adelaide, leaving no one in any doubt that serious change was imminent.

Can one week of football, albeit a final, have had such a contrasting impact on two clubs? Mick, all of a sudden, has the unanimous support of the Carlton faithful, even those bemoaning his appointment less than a month earlier, while Buckley has been left to deal with the fallout incumbent with sacking much-loved premiership players.

The one certainty is that, for both coaches, it is all just white noise. Collingwood’s decisions are all justified and Buckley will not shy from making further tough calls as he endeavours to build his own list, capable of reclaiming the ground it lost this year. Shaw’s future will be discussed, as it should be, and I would imagine that they will be seeking an answer from Dale Thomas pretty quickly, or they may make it for him.

For Carlton, what an incredible difference a week makes. Or does it? Duigan has effectively been on the outer for the entire year and only got a late reprieve after Brock McLean's last-minute withdrawal. Will one good final ensure his future, having been overlooked on 20 other occasions this year? Did Eddie Betts’ industrious, three-goal performance encourage those in charge of re-contracting him to revisit their initial offer?

Have we come any closer to unravelling the enigma that is Jarrad Waite, who once again gave every indication that he could be one of the very best forwards in the competition? The answer to that question ultimately lies with Waite, and the injury gods who have denied him a consistent run at it for most of his career. You get the feeling that the Blues will not deviate from their search for a big key forward, despite managing 18 goals on the weekend.

While those questions remain unanswered, there were definitive answers elsewhere for the Blues, courtesy of their fortuitous foray into September.

Any doubts that Chris Judd’s match-winning ability had passed him by were put to bed. Bryce Gibbs played the sort of game, on the back of the sort of month of football, that is far more in keeping with his ability, and that will elevate his standing in the game.

Marc Murphy has influenced the result of critical games in the past few weeks, and with a big pre-season under his belt will justify his elevation to captain.

Mitch Robinson showed the mental strength, to complement his physical strength, by putting a brain-fade behind him and playing a magnificent, game-defining last quarter. Dare I say it, it was a mature statement from him.

Tom Bell demonstrated that he is a player of September standard, Ed Curnow can assume Ryan Crowley type of importance to the Blues and Kade Simpson deserves the recognition that is finally coming his way.

Yes, there were some pleasing answers to season-long questions for the Blues. But there has been no better team to ask the questions, in recent years, than the Swans. The exam just got a whole lot harder.

A poor failure will see ramifications. It always does. That's what makes finals footy the most compelling time of the year. You can bypass the test by not making the finals at all.

Or you can compete, and, good or bad, get the answers you have been seeking all year.

5 comments so far

and no questions raised or asked about the Tigers.

Commenter

Confused

Location

Punt Road

Date and time

September 13, 2013, 6:03PM

They were answered last weekend.

Commenter

Thunder

Location

the sky

Date and time

September 14, 2013, 12:22PM

No culture problems at Collingwood under Malthouse. Nice for Buckley to be trying to find a loyal list of players. In the meantime it seems he has alienated half the team. Always blames the players in his wooden summations but he needs to look at himself. He has been outcoached on many occasions this year. The elimination final was a shocker. Hard to understand what he was doing. The other glaring problem is the kicking. For the last 2 years kicking to a mark has been atrocious - yet nothing seems to be done about it. It's the same every week. Buckley has been a great disappointment.

Commenter

Teaman

Date and time

September 13, 2013, 7:53PM

Was that a thinly veiled swipe at Robert Walls? Good.Interesting analysis, but reads like a primary school paper.Please go back to school and slap your English teacher.And (sic), what's, with, all, the, commas,?

Commenter

Marc

Location

Disappointed

Date and time

September 13, 2013, 8:04PM

@ Confused - why would there be? They are on the up... even if its slowly but surely, on the way up - I'm sure the Tiger fans can forgive their team a little stage fright after not being in the finals for years - it wasn't like they were going to win the flag this year anyway... better things to come for the big pussy cats I'm sure.

What is even more confusing is this rubbish whitewash down at Collingwood to clean out the cupboards and then whitewash the real central issue - we don't have a problem with the club getting rid of deadwood or problem players, in fact hear hear (keep Thomas over Shaw any day of the week...), but what about us Collingwood supporters and our issues with the nut jobs that got us here in 3 very short years - when will we have a 'mandate' to get rid of Eddie and Buckley for just like _completely blowing it_ for the last 3 years - like seriously Garry... it's a complete joke and shouldn't be brushed under the carpet.